Location: An easy 40-minute drive west of Mackay.
Size: 62800 ML, 920 ha
Fishing options: This round shaped lake is one of the easier barra impoundments to work out. It only has a handful of predominant points and no standing timber. The edges are often lined with weed beds and lilies but fluctuating water level due to irrigation can cause the weed to die off at times. After a rise in the wet times, the weeds are quick to re-establish.
Barra can be caught in the bay directly below the camp ground, making it easy to slide in a kayak for an early morning or late afternoon session. Boats are still preferred and it can get very busy at night around the full moon. Ensure all your lights are working for safety and if fishing from a kayak have some sort of light fitted so boats can see you.
The weed is home to plenty of fish; making this a great lake to skim weedless rigged frogs across the top. Weedless plastics fished sub-surface can also perform well. At night more fish will move around the outside of the weed edges. These fish can be caught on soft plastics and soft vibes. Pick a likely spot, anchor up and wait for them to move through.
Gear selection: 20 lb spin outfit
Lure selection: Zman 4’ Frogz and Gamakatsu 4/0 Worm EWG HW Hook, Jackall Transam 95
Accommodation/camping: Kinchant Waters Resort has plenty of camp sites and some basic cabins and dongas. They are nothing flash but quite affordable. The office doubles as a public bar where meals are served five nights a week. Bookings can be made by calling (07) 4954 1453.
Nearby supplies: The closest town with supplies is Marian (15 minutes). It has a pub and fuel station but only a general store. If you are after a bigger grocery store head back to Walkerston (20 minutes).
More Information: www.mackayregion.com
Kinchant Dam
Location: An easy 40-minute drive west of Mackay.
Size: 62800 ML, 920 ha
Fishing options: This round shaped lake is one of the easier barra impoundments to work out. It only has a handful of predominant points and no standing timber. The edges are often lined with weed beds and lilies but fluctuating water level due to irrigation can cause the weed to die off at times. After a rise in the wet times, the weeds are quick to re-establish.
Barra can be caught in the bay directly below the camp ground, making it easy to slide in a kayak for an early morning or late afternoon session. Boats are still preferred and it can get very busy at night around the full moon. Ensure all your lights are working for safety and if fishing from a kayak have some sort of light fitted so boats can see you.
The weed is home to plenty of fish; making this a great lake to skim weedless rigged frogs across the top. Weedless plastics fished sub-surface can also perform well. At night more fish will move around the outside of the weed edges. These fish can be caught on soft plastics and soft vibes. Pick a likely spot, anchor up and wait for them to move through.
Gear selection: 20 lb spin outfit
Lure selection: Zman 4’ Frogz and Gamakatsu 4/0 Worm EWG HW Hook, Jackall Transam 95
Accommodation/camping: Kinchant Waters Resort has plenty of camp sites and some basic cabins and dongas. They are nothing flash but quite affordable. The office doubles as a public bar where meals are served five nights a week. Bookings can be made by calling (07) 4954 1453.
Nearby supplies: The closest town with supplies is Marian (15 minutes). It has a pub and fuel station but only a general store. If you are after a bigger grocery store head back to Walkerston (20 minutes).
More Information: www.mackayregion.com